Girl Scouts of Erie Shores

Girl Scouts of Erie Shores

GIRL SCOUTS OF ERIE SHORES

GEOCACHING INTEREST PROJECT PATCH

To earn this Interest Project, you must do (7) seven of these activities, including the starred activities:

Two (2) Skill Builders

One (1) Technology

One (1) Service Project

One (1) Career Exploration

Two (2) activities from any category that you choose

Purpose:To increase one's knowledge and understanding of geocaching (high tech treasure hunting)! Please note, you will need a GPS receiver to complete this Interest Project. Many late model cell phones have GPS receivers in them.

Skills:

  1. *Learn what GPS stands for and the history of GPS. Who invented GPS? Why was it invented?
  1. *Coordinates are the keys to utilizing GPS. What are coordinates? What is longitude and latitude? How do they help a GPS receiver work? Using a GPS receiver, practice identifying your location using coordinates.
  1. Geocaching is only regulated by the people finding and placing caches, meaning everyone involved needs to follow rules and guidelines. Using identify the three basic rules for geocaching. Make a poster with these rules, and add a few of your own that will help Girl Scouts to remain safe while geocaching.
  1. *Identify a cache you would like to find and go on a high tech treasure hunt! Be sure to follow all local and Girl Scout safety standards.

Technology:

  1. Visit or to learn more about geocaching. With an adult, create a screen name for your troop/group so you can explore different caches in your area. Find out how many caches are within a 25-mile radius of your troop’s meeting spot.
  1. Find out how GPS units work. What are the basic ways a GPS can tell you your location anywhere on the earth (hint: it involves 24 satellites)?
  1. Visit to learn about Travel Bugs. What are they? How are they used? If you want, purchase a Travel Bug, and with an adult’s assistance, start tracking it!

Service Projects:

  1. Using the guidelines on create and place your own cache. Be sure to register it on the same web site so others can enjoy it!
  1. Invite a Brownie or Junior Girl Scout troop to go geocaching with you.
  1. Help a Brownie or Junior Girl Scout troop earn their Geocaching Try-It or Badge.

Career Explorations:

  1. Brainstorm at least 5 careers in which a GPS receiver is utilized. Explore how using a GPS unit has changed the nature of at least 3 of these careers.
  1. Talk with someone who uses a GPS receiver in their daily job. What is the GPS receiver used for? What do they think GPS receivers will be used for in the future?
  1. Think about your future! Play the role of a journalist and write a review of your geocaching experience. How did it differ from what you expected? What did you learn? What did you enjoy? What would you change about your experience? If you want to get others excited about geocaching, submit your review to your school or local newspaper.